Trophonios shook his head, rubbing his jaw. “I don’t know.”
“Do you have any idea where she might have gone?” Layla asked, stroking her knives.
“I don’t know that either.”
“I could find out,” Mireille said, and Ronin’s head whipped toward her. “I can make a lot of things happen with a few vials of veiling potion and a supply ofdrachas. I’m guessing the network of information brokers I used as an Imperial Affairs agent is still thriving.” She sliced her quicksilver gaze to Tristan. “Let me prove I’m worth that fancy new title you just gave me, Your Highness.”
“I’ll go with you,” Ronin proclaimed, his broad shoulders tensing.
Sorrow and affection mingled in Mireille’s expression. “You can’t, General. Your Emperor needs you. Selene needs you, too. See what you can find in Delos, and I’ll ask around as well. If I find any answers on my quest, I’ll let you know.” She lowered her voice, but Cassandra was close enough to hear. “Save a dance for me. Maybe a game of chess, too. I need to kick your ass again.”
“Be careful.” Ronin clasped her hand, then pressed a long kiss to the back of it before whispering, “Come back to me.”
Tristan turned to the group. “We all clear on the story, then?” They nodded. “Rest up. We march in thirty-six hours.”
The group rose from the table, offering Tristan and Cassandra subtle bows on the way out.
Trophonios stood, pushing his chair back, but Tristan stopped him. “Not you. I’ve got a few more questions.”
The Beastrunner retook his seat as they waited for the room to empty.
Once it had, Tristan gripped Cassandra’s hand again. “So, all the evidence that proved my and Ione’s connection—her Ghostwalking abilities, our ability to summon multiple elements together—that was possible because…”
“Because it was your father who Turned her,” Trophonios said gently. “The commonalities in the blood. That’s what forged the connection.” He smiled at Cassandra. “You’ve only Turned one woman.”
“The lines of the prophecy then.Two futures sown, one future known? Does that mean Cassandra is the Delphine?”
Trophonios pinched the bridge of his nose. “It’s still unclear. Ione could still technically be the Delphine since thephantom wingscould refer to Leonin. And she didlight the wayfor the movement, even if upon a foundation of lies. Only the Creator will know for sure.” He turned to Cassandra. “Has the Goddess ever spoken to you? Ione claimed to have received messages from Adelphinae that guided her path and kept her alive over the years.”
Cassandra nodded. “She spoke through my mother in a vision. She told me tofind her. At the time, I thought she was referring to herself, but now I think she may have meant Mireille. Then when I was behind the wards, she showed me a vision of Tristan and Ione together.” Tristan squeezed her hand. An apology. She squeezed back. Long forgiven. “And after my appeal, after the Koenig killed me, Reena spoke to me in the Halfway. Though I’m not sure she’d been sent by the Goddess. Seemed like she’d gone rogue.”
Tristan chuckled. “Of course she had.”
“Well, stay open to her,” Trophonios said. “Adelphinae may send you messages as our plans coalesce.”
“Ione said something odd before she left,” Cassandra pondered. “That the mixed-species rebels didn’t need a Delphine. That all they need to become Anointed is to prove their faith to the Goddess herself. That no intermediary was necessary. But she thought that having a Delphine helped inspire that faith.”
Trophonios cocked his head. “Are you willing to do that for them going forward?”
Cassandra raised her chin, squaring her shoulders. “I don’t carewhatthat prophecy means, whether I’m the Delphine or not. They’re my people. I will be whatever they need me to be. And I will fight for them to the end.”
Trophonios relaxed, revealing a slash of dazzling white teeth. “Then they couldn’t ask for anything better.” He stood once again. “We should get some rest, too. Long days are ahead of us.” He bowed at the waist before exiting the room. “Goodnight, Your Highnesses.”
Cassandra wondered if she’d ever get used to it, the titles, the deference. But perhaps she didn’t want to be the kind of leader who would.
As soon as they were alone, Tristan crumpled, catching his face in his hands. “I’m such a fucking fool.”
“Hey,” Cassandra said, climbing into his lap and cupping his face in her hands. “This isnoton you. Your father and Ione—” Cassandra shuddered, the sight of them fucking on the Crystal Throne burned behind her eyelids “—they manipulated you. They took advantage of your good nature, and the world paid for it. Don’t you dare shoulder an ounce of the guilt that by all rights belongs to them.”
“But that’s the problem, isn’t it?” Tristan frowned as he shifted beneath her. “I’mtootrusting. It’s what got us into trouble with Eamon down in the colonies. I failed to see what was right in front of me. And I’ve just gone and done it again with Ione. It’s a weakness our enemies could exploit.”
Cassandra stroked her thumb across his cheekbone, hating the self-loathing dulling his toasted-honey eyes. He wrapped his arms around her waist, holding her tighter against him. “Assuming the best in people is not a weakness, Tristan. It’s your greatest strength. I wouldn’t be sitting here if you hadn’t assumed the best in a tiny thief who’d stolen a diamond necklace.” She kissed his jaw. “A tiny thief who’s about to become your wicked, suspicious wife, and who will be more than happy to help you sort your enemies from your friends. And then sort those enemies’ heads from their bodies.”
He chuckled, some lightness returning to his eyes as he plucked up her hand and kissed her fingertips. “My blood-thirsty Empress.”
She lowered her brows. “We will make her pay for it.Iwill make her pay for it.”
“Is it wrong that I can’t wait to see that?” He squeezed her tight and tucked his head against her neck. “I love you, Cass.”
